Frequently Asked Questions

You asked, we answered!

How is Berkeley Humane funded?

Berkeley Humane, like most other animal welfare agencies, is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We are not affiliated with, nor do we receive regular funding from, any national animal
welfare organization or any federal, state, or local government agency.

How do I donate?

We're so glad you asked! Thank you for considering a donation to support the life-saving efforts at Berkeley Humane! You can make an online donation to support a program that best fits your
area of interest. Or, you can make a payment over the phone at (510) 845-7735 x233. You can find more information about in-kind donations and other creative ways to support us in the "Donate"
section of our website.

What is Berkeley Humane's privacy policy?

Privacy Policy:
Berkeley Humane respects the privacy of all of our donors. We believe in safeguarding personal information and ensuring that your privacy is protected. Your name, address and any other
personal data you provide will be used by only Berkeley Humane to keep you informed of our activities including our classes, programs, special events, and funding needs. If at any time you
choose not to receive these communications, you may contact us and we will gladly remove your name from our mailing list.

Mailing Lists:
Berkeley Humane does not rent, sell, give away, or trade its donor lists or any information contained on those lists. Donor information is used by our organization for charitable purposes
only as described above and will not be used by any entity outside of the organization unless we are legally required to disclose information to comply with applicable legal requirements and
standards.

How is Berkeley Humane different from the city animal shelter?

As a private, nonprofit organization, Berkeley Humane works cooperatively with the publicly funded Berkeley Animal Care Services (BACS) and other local groups to save all healthy and
treatable animals in the East Bay.

BACS provides animal control field services, enforcement of city ordinances related to animals, impoundment of stray pets, and investigation of animal-related neglect, cruelty, nuisance and
bite cases. Berkeley Humane intakes most of its animals from BACS and other municipal shelters within Alameda and Contra Costa Counties in order to make space for incoming animals. Berkeley
Humane also operates a shelter-only veterinary hospital; spay/neuter, vaccination, micrpchipping, and deworming clinics; a dog training program; and several other community programs that
support pets and their families. Both of our organizations provide adoption services.

How are you affiliated with the Humane Society of the United States?

We are not affiliated with and receive no ongoing funding from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Amercan
Humane Association (AHA), Berkeley Animal Care Services (BACS, Berkeley's public shelter), or any other local, state, or national organization. Donations made to national groups are not
dispersed to local shelters, including Berkeley Humane.

What types of animals do you have?

Berkeley Humane houses and adopts out cats and dogs. We do not accept small pets, wildlife or farm animals. We cannot accept stray animals.

Where do your animals come from?

Because Berkeley Humane is strongly committed to relieving animal overpopulation in our community, all of the animals in our shelter are transfers from our local municipal animal shelter
partners in an effort to open up space for their incoming animals and reduce euthanasia. All of the animals we intake are from within Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

Are you a "no-kill" shelter?

Because of the collaborative spirit and mutual respect that exists between the shelters in our community, Berkeley Humane does not use the term "no-kill" to separate ourselves from our
open-door shelter partners who are under the pressure of space and/or time constraints. We are committed to ending the euthanasia of healthy and treatable dogs and cats in the East Bay, and
we know that the pet homelessness problem extends beyond any one shelter to the way animals are valued and cared for in our community. Please spay and neuter your pets and practice
responsible pet ownership to ensure that you do not contribute to pet homelessness.

How long do pets stay in your care before they are euthanized?

Berkeley Humane does not use length of stay as a criterion for euthanasia. Animals in our shelter are euthanized only for behavior issues that cannot be managed safely or medical conditions
that are untreatable. We care deeply about the quality of life of the animals in our charge; and not only are they guaranteed a space in our program until they are adopted, we are also
committed to providing the highest quality of care during their stay.

Where are the available pets?

Pets available for adoption can be viewed Friday through Sunday from 11 AM until 5 PM at our facility at 2700 Ninth Street in Berkeley. We are also open for dog adoptions on Wednesdays and
Thursdays from 11 AM until 5 PM. We are closed on all major holidays.

Most of our available animals are housed in foster care on non-adoption days.

Are all of your animals spayed or neutered before adoption?

Yes. According to California law, all animals must be spayed or neutered before they can be adopted. At Berkeley Humane, all animals are spayed or neutered before they are made available for
adoption.

Our adoption package includes adoption counseling and follow-up calls, a take-home adoption packet, temporary collar and ID tag, temporary leash or carrier, a certificate for a free
examination at a local veterinary hospital, and (for dogs) half off your first training class with us.

How do I adopt an animal?

Thank you for considering adoption! If you see an animal on our website you are interested in adopting, come visit him/her during adoption hours. If you don't have a particular pet in mind,
we would be happy to answer your questions during our adoption hours or via phone or email. Our staff is especially skilled at matching your needs and expectations with the needs of our
animals. You can reach an adoption staff member by emailing information@berkeleyhumane.org, or by calling (510) 845-3633. Read more about our adoption process here.

What is included in your adoption fees?

Every animal adopted from Berkeley Humane has received a thorough medical examination, preventive care, and treatment for any medical conditions that are discovered. In our care, the animals
also receive good nutrition, enrichment, exercise, training and socialization. As you can imagine, it can be quite costly to provide all of this for an animal, and they don't arrive with
wallets! The money collected from adoption fees offsets only a small percentage of the actual costs we incur to care for animals. Many adopters make a donation on top of their adoption fee to
help cover these costs. Even small donations make a big difference in helping us save lives.

How do I become a volunteer?

Berkeley Humane is thrilled to have the support of our wonderful volunteer force. We have a variety of volunteer opportunities, ranging from working with the shelter animals, to providing
foster care, to assisting with special events and administrative needs. To discover all the wonderful ways to get involved at Berkeley Humane, please visit the Volunteer section of our website.

All potential volunteers attend an orientation before getting started. It's easy to view our schedule and register for one of our Orientations on our website.

Do you provide veterinary services?

Medical care for our shelter animals is provided through private donations made to the Hope Shelter Medical Fund. Learn more here.

How do I get my pet spayed or neutered?

Appointments must be made in advance by calling the Berkeley Humane Hospital at (510) 845-3633. For information on the clinic requirements and reduced prices, please visit the Wellness Clinics page.

How do I sign up for dog training classes?

Please visit the Dog Training section of this website to learn more about our class offerings, schedule, trainers, or to register for a class online. You may also
call (510) 845-7735, x215.

I need help/advice caring for/keeping my pet. Can you help?

Berkeley Humane knows adoption services are necessary, but believes strongly in the human-animal bond and that people and their pets should remain together whenever possible. We offer several
programs that are designed to help you keep your pet in your home.

If your pet has a behavior issue that you are having trouble managing, our Behavior Advice Line is a free service that allows you to call and speak
one-on-one with a Behavior & Training staff member. Many times, we'll recommend private consultations and classes for dog owners to help them address behavior and training issues.

We operate a Pet Food Pantry to provide pet food for qualifying participants, and our PAWS/East Bay program assists low-income seniors
and people with disabling illnesses/conditions with food, volunteer help with transportation and in-home services, and an annual Pet Wellness visit at our Berkeley Humane Hospital for their
pet.

I would like to receive information and updates from Berkeley Humane. How do I do this?

You can sign up to receive regular updates and newsletters from Berkeley Humane at the top of this website. If you would like to receive an issue of our newsletter in the mail, please contact
information@berkeleyhumane.org.